2nd man held for trial in Philly crash that killed three
A judge has ordered a second man to stand trial in a triple-fatal crash that authorities said occurred as cars were drag racing in Northeast Philadelphia a year ago.
Twenty-year-old Ryan Farrell had a preliminary hearing last month with 20-year-old Christopher Bloomfield in the July 2015 crash that killed 17-year-old Sabrina Rhoads, 17-year-old Yvette Gonzalez and 20-year-old Felipe Hernandez.
Bloomfield was held for trial, but a decision on Farrell was delayed after his attorney argued that there was no precedent for charging a driver in a drag racing crash if the driver didn’t hit the other vehicle.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Farrell was held for trial Monday on vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter charges.
Philly’s development director says proposed city budget threatens Land Bank operations
Philadelphia’s Land Bank is the city’s primary vehicle for assembling parcels for developments and a tool for generating affordable housing.
11 hours ago
![Asked if his run for DA was a vendetta for being fired, Vega vigorously denied the idea. He had never before wanted to run for office, the former homicide prosecutor said, but the escalating murder rate in the city drove him into the political ring. “I see the numbers of murders that have been happening since [Krasner] took office. Just this past year, 499 murders,” Vega said. “As a father, a single dad, a person of color — we suffer the most. I decided to run for office.” Krasner countered that the rise in gun violence is not related to his policy reforms. “In 50 major U.S. cities last year the increase in gun violence was 42%. The increase in Philly is 40%, which is terrible, but what is happening is not unique to Philly,” Krasner said. “The FOP and their candidate — my opponent — are weaponizing a national tragedy.” Other issues got little air time, and there was little difference in the candidates’ responses. Each tread similar ground when asked about the opioid crisis in the Kensington neighborhood, saying aggressive prosecution of those living with addiction should be a low priority, with the city instead offering social services and diversionary programs to avoid criminal proceedings and jail time. Krasner also said his office has been working with the FBI on wiretapping investigations to identify and arrest major dealers and those involved in drug trafficking, though he declined to elaborate.](https://whyy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/krasner-vega-1-360x280.jpg "krasner-vega")
Final Philly DA debate: Vega touts putting police in prison, Krasner says opponent lied in court
The two Democratic candidates for district attorney traded jabs and accusations during a live broadcast on WURD, Philly’s only Black-owned radio station.
14 hours ago
Diversity, residency requirements top issues at Philly police budget hearing
Mayor Jim Kenney’s proposed budget would flat-fund the department at $727 million.
15 hours ago